Barrick BJJ · Goshen, IN
Common Questions
Straight answers about walking in for the first time. If yours isn't here, call us — we'd rather talk it through than have you wonder.
Getting started
The questions almost everyone asks before their first class.
- Do I need to be in shape before I start?
- No — getting in shape is what the training does, not something you do beforehand. Most of our students walked in with zero experience, and the program is built to bring beginners along safely. You'll work at your own level from the first class rather than trying to keep up with someone who's been on the mats for years.
- Am I going to get hurt?
- Jiu-jitsu is a contact sport, so expect the odd bruise and some sore muscles. Our coaches guide beginners through fundamentals and pair students thoughtfully. Sparring comes later and only at the instructor's discretion. You start with guided practice and support from the team.
- I'm in my 40s or 50s. Am I too old to start?
- No. One of our black belt coaches, Bob Kanaley, is in his 70s and still on the mats every week. Another started at 40. Kevin Kirkingburg walked in at 48 with no martial arts background at all — his words are on our home page. Adult classes are built for every age and ability, and you train at your own pace, not somebody else's.
- What should I wear, and do I need to buy a gi?
- For your first classes, shorts and a t-shirt are all you need — leggings and a t-shirt work just as well, and we usually have loaner uniforms. Once you sign up we'll get you into your own gi, normally within the first week. Bryan keeps them in stock at the gym and looks after members on price — no ordering online, no guessing your size, no paying full retail.
- I'm a woman — will I be the only one there?
- No. Adult classes are mixed — men and women train together. Angela, one of the reviewers on our home page, is a parent who trains here herself. If you'd rather know before walking in, call and ask which classes have the most women on the mat — we'll tell you straight.
- What actually happens in a first class?
- A class is a warm-up, some stretching, then drilling techniques. If you're brand new you'll work on fundamentals — the building blocks everything else sits on. Students with experience may spar, at the instructor's discretion. And if you're nervous about walking in the first time, don't be. We meet you where you are.
Questions About Kids' Classes
For parents weighing up whether this is right for their child.
- What age can my child start?
- Five is about the youngest we'll start a child, but it really depends on the kid. Attention span is the main thing we look for — they need to follow along without disrupting the class. The best way to find out is to bring them in for a free week and see how they do.
- Will jiu-jitsu make my child more aggressive?
- It usually does the opposite. Most kids who train tone their aggression down, because the whole art runs on mutual respect — you can't train with someone you're not also looking after. Kids learn not just how a technique works, but when it's appropriate to use it.
- Can I watch my child's class?
- Yes, parents are welcome to watch. The one thing we ask is that you let the coaches coach. It's confusing for a child to take instruction from two directions at once, and that's what the coaches are there for.
- Do kids and adults train together?
- No. Kids train in their own classes and adults in theirs. Teens have their own class too, and only move into adult classes once a coach decides they're ready.
- Can siblings train together, and is there a family rate?
- Yes to both. Siblings can train in the same classes, and we do have a family rate — give us a call and we'll walk you through it.
Class Times & Attendance
When to arrive and how often to train.
- How early should I arrive?
- Get there about ten minutes before class starts — enough time to sign in, say hello, and get settled before the warm-up.
- As an adult, how many times a week should I train?
- Adult students can train as often or as little as they like. There's no minimum and nobody's counting. Two or three times a week is a comfortable rhythm for most, but plenty train once a week and plenty train five. Kids BJJ students train up to twice a week. Start with one class and see how you feel.
Still got a question?
Call the gym and ask. You'll get a straight answer, and there's no hard sell waiting on the other end.
Book Your First Free Class
Your first week is free. Choose a class below — beginners welcome.
How the free week works: Choose your first class below. Your free week starts that day and lasts seven consecutive days. You can try our different programs during that week — one free week per person.
Form not appearing? Open booking in Zen Planner.
Where to find us
427 W Pike St Ste 10Goshen, IN 46526Call 574-538-1703
After your free week, talk with our team about membership options if you'd like to keep training.